Grain-drying device

ABSTRACT

An improvement for drying grain in a grain bin is disclosed herein. This improvement comprises a plurality of staves having, in cross section, an undulating configuration. The staves are disposed in an upright manner and in spaced relation in a drying bin. Dry air from the plenum chamber moves vertically up the staves in the undulations and creates a vertical drying front in addition to the horizontal drying front. Additionally, dry air is introduced into the apex of the bin by these staves thereby keeping it dry and minimizing spoilage of the upper layers.

United States Patent Steffen Feb. 1,1972

[54] GRAIN-DRYING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Vincent B. Steffen, 3 N. Walnut Ave., New

Hampton, Iowa 50659 [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 18,985

[52] US. Cl ..34/23l, 34/233, 98/55 [51] Int. Cl. ..F26b 19/00, A01'f 25/00 [58] FieldofSearch ..34/l68,169, 175,176,177,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,213 4/1950 Meyer ..98/55 3,104,955 9/1963 Marchand.... ....34/168 3,123,234 3/1964 Buerkan ..98/55 X 3,357,110 12/1967 Burgin ..34/l74 X Primary Examiner-Frederick L. Matteson Assistant Examiner-Harry B. Ramey Attorney-Henderson & Strom [5 7] ABSTRACT An improvement for drying grain in a grain bin is disclosed herein. This improvement comprises a plurality of staves having, in cross section, an undulating configuration. The staves are disposed in an upright manner and in spaced relation in a drying bin. Dry air from the plenum chamber moves vertically up the staves in the undulations and creates a vertical drying front in addition to the horizontal drying front. Additionally, dry air is introduced into the apex of the bin by these staves thereby keeping it dry and minimizing spoilage of the upper layers.

9 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB! I972 MUIDFZ EMU -37 PATENTED FEBI I912- GRAIN-DRYING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement for drying grain in a grain bin. The improvement comprises a plurality of spaced, upright staves, having an undulating, cross-sectional configuration.

It is well known that grain must be dried prior to long storage periods to prevent spoilage. The advantages of drying grain are fully described in Steffen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,747.

On the farm, grain can be dried in conventional grain bins having a raised perforated floor. Grain is loaded onto the perforated floor through the top of the grain bin. A blower, usually with means for heating incoming air in combination therewith, is utilized to force air through the perforated floor and upward through the grain. A horizontal drying front is thereby created. The lower portion of the grain is dried first and the drying front gradually advances upwardly through the gram.

Problems have, however, been encountered in this method of drying grain. As the incoming air advances through the grain and dries the lower layer of grain, the relative humidity and moisture content of the air in the upper layers of grain is greatly increased. A portion of this moisture is deposited in the upper layers of the grain and causes caking on the upper surface of the grain. Moisture also collects in the apex of the bin and can cause grain spoilage in.the upper layers. Caking of the upper layers of grain restricts airflow, increases the static pressure in the plenum chamber, and decreases the efiiciency of the blower.

Grain stirring equipment has been utilized to agitate the upper layers of grain and prevent caking. These devices are described in Kalke, U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,54l and Sukup, U.S. Pat. No. 3,272,480. However, the upper layers of grain and the apex of the bin continue to collect moisture until the drying front advances entirely through the grain.

Another problem is encountered in unloading these bins. These drying bins are generally unloaded through a central discharge port formed in the perforated floor. A horizontal auger disposed below the perforated floor then removes the grain from the bin. On many occasions, the farmer may actually enter the bin from the top and break up the caked grain to aid the removal of the grain from the bin. The farmer can readily be pulled into the vortex caused by the exiting grain and be suffocated from the pressure of the grain on his body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improvement in grain bins utilized for drying grain. The grain bin conventionally has sidewalls, a ground floor, a perforated floor supported above the ground floor, and a discharge auger disposed below the perforated floor and communicating with the interior of the bin through a centrally disposed discharge port formed in the perforated floor. Additionally, means for forcing air through the perforated floor and the grain supported thereabove is generally provided.

The improvement comprises a plurality of staves having their lower ends disposed proximate the upper surface of the perforated floor and extending upwardly to a height above the upper surface of the grain in the grain bin. The staves are disposed in spaced relation and are, in cross section, of generally undulating configuration.

A principal object of this invention is to provide an improvement for use in bin drying of grain.

Another object is to increase the blower efficiency by reducing static pressure in the plenum.

A further object is to introduce dry air into the apex of the bin to prevent grain spoilage and caking of the upper layers of gram.

Yet another object is to prevent accidental suffocation and injuries to people working in the bin during unloading operations.

A still further object is to introduce several vertical drying fronts in the grain mass and increase overall drying rates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional grain bin filled with grain during the unloading operation.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional grain bin filled with grain and having the staves of this invention disposed therein in spaced relation on the perforated floor. The vertical and horizontal drying fronts are also shown.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the grain bin illustrating the placement of the staves and, in phantom, the areas in which each stave is effective in drying.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, foreshortened view of a stave.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a cross section of the stave taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the undulating cross-sectional configuration and corn kernels in conjunction therewith.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating stave placement in the bin.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional grain bin filled with grain and having the staves of this invention disposed therein in spaced relation and suspended above the upper surface of the perforated floor to allow a sweep unloader to be utilized therein.

FIG. 8 is a top, cross-sectional view of the grain bin of FIG. 7 illustrating the placement of the staves and the sweep unloader.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the stave suspension taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the staves of this invention are indicated generally at 11 in FIGS. 2-9. The staves 11 are disposed proximate the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13 of the grain bin 14 and extend upwardly to a height above the upper surface 16 of the grain 17 in the bin 14. The staves 11, as shown in FIG. 5, are of generally undulating, L- shaped configuration.

More specifically, the staves ll of this invention are generally installed in a conventional drying bin 14 (FIGS. I, 2 and 7). The bin 14, as illustrated, has sidewalls 18 of generally circular configuration. The configuration of the bin 14, however, is not important for the functioning of this invention. The floor 19 is generally poured concrete; however, the floor 19 can be constructed of any suitable material. The bin 11 also generally has a sloping roof 21 with an opening 22 formed in the center to facilitate filling the bin 14 with grain 17.

The perforated floor 13 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) is supported above the ground floor 19. The perforated floor 13 can be supported in any suitable manner. As shown in FIG. 1, the perforated floor 13 is supported by a modular steel floor support 24 which is the subject of a pending U.S. patent application entitled Open Floor Support, U.S. Ser. No. 786,154. Other suitable floor supports are described in Steffen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,445 and Steffen, U.S. Pat. No. 2,818,009. The perforated floor 13, with its supports 24, is of sufficient strength to support a bin 14 full of grain 17. The perforations in the perforated floor 13 are of such size as to readily allow air to pass upward therethrough but to prevent grain 17 from falling downwardly through the perforations (not shown).

A discharge port 26 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) is formed through the perforated floor 13 and is centrally situated. Below the discharge port 26 is a discharge auger 27 which is utilized in unloading the bin 14. When the discharge auger 27 is being utilized, a vortex 28 forms above the discharge port 26. A farmer inside the bin 14 can easily be pulled into this vortex 28 and suffocated or he can be mangled in the discharge auger 27.

A blower 29, shown schematically in FIGS. 1-3, with a heating unit 30 in combination therewith, is secured to the sidewall 18 of the bin 14. The blower 29 forces air into the plenum chamber 31 formed by the ground floor 19, the perforated floor l3, and the sidewalls 18. The air is forced upwardly through the perforated floor l3 and the grain l7 and thereby dries the grain 17 in the bin 14. Air rising through the grain l7 exits through the opening 22 formed in the roof 21.

A sweep unloader 32 (FIG. 7) can be disposed adjacent the perforated floor 13 to aid in removing grain 17 from the bin 14. If the sweep unloader 32 is to function properly, the staves 11 must be suspended above the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13 and the sweep unloader 32. Even though the staves 11 are suspended above the perforated floor 13, the staves 11 function in exactly the same manner as if they were juxtaposed of the perforated floor 13.

The improvement of this invention comprises a plurality of staves 1 l of generally undulating configuration disposed in an upright manner on the perforated floor 13. Dry air from the plenum chamber 31 (FIGS. 2 and 7) flows upwardly along the staves 1 l and creates a plurality of vertical drying fronts 33 in addition to the horizontal drying front 34. The dry air also removes moisture from the apex 36 of the bin 14 and minimizes caking and spoilage on the upper surface 16 of the grain l7. Static pressure is also reduced and blower efficiency is increased.

Each of the staves 11 has a lower end 37 and an upper end 38 and is of generally undulating configuration. The distance 39 between undulations is generally about one-quarter of an inch as indicated in FIG. when drying corn. When grain 17 having finer kernels is dried in this manner, the distance 39 between undulations can be correspondingly reduced. It is also preferred in this invention that the staves 11, in cross section, be of generally L-shaped configuration. This configuration is desirable to add strength to the staves l 1. Air flows upwardly along each of the staves 11 and outwardly therefrom when the airflow contacts the irregularly spaced kernels of grain 17. The outward flow from the staves ll creates vertical drying fronts 33 around each of the staves 11.

The staves 11 are of a height sufficient to extend from the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13 to above the upper surface 16 of the grain 17. In the usual case, the staves 11 extend from the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13 to at least the height of the sidewalls 18 as grain 17 is usually loaded into the bin 14 to that height. The upper ends 38 of the staves 11 thereby extend above the upper surface 16 of the grain l7 and allow dry air to flow into the apex 36 and remove the moisture therefrom.

The staves 11, in one embodiment of this invention (FIGS. 2-6), are juxtaposed against the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13 in an upright manner and are disposed in spaced relation in the bin 14. Air is then transmitted through the perforated floor l3 and upwardly along the staves 11 due to the static pressure in the plenum chamber 31. At the same time, air is transmitted from the perforated floor l3 upwardly through the grain 17. Simultaneous vertical 33 and horizontal drying fronts 34 are formed which increase the drying rate in the bin 14.

Although no specific spacing is required, it has been found that the benefits are maximized if the staves 11 are placed on 4 foot centers, that is, the staves 11 are placed approximately 4 feet apart (FIG. 6).

The staves 11 can be readily secured in position by first filling the bin 14 with about 2 to 3 feet of grain 17. The staves 11 are then pushed downwardly into the grain 17 until they are proximate or in juxtaposition with the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13. The grain 17 then entirely supports the staves 11 from moving laterally. This method of support also facilitates removal of the staves 11 during the unloading operation.

As an added safety feature of this invention, at least three and, preferably four, staves 11 are disposed around the periphery of the discharge port 26. The staves 11 are secured together by a plurality of struts 41, generally horizontally disposed, to form a rigid network. If a farmer is working inside the bin 14 during the unloading operation, he can easily restrain himself from being pulled into the vortex 28 by utilizing this rigid network.

In a second embodiment of this invention (FIGS. 7-9), the

staves 11 are suspended from the roof 21 of the bin 14 to facilitate the use of a sweep unloader 32. Although the lower ends 37 of the staves 11 are spaced above the upper surface 12 of the perforated floor 13, t ey function in exactly the same manner as if they were juxtaposed on the perforated floor 13.

In this embodiment, the staves 11 are suspended from the roof 21 or a structure (not shown) suspended from the roof. FIG. 9 illustrates one method of suspending the staves ll from the roof 21. A hole 42 is formed in the roof 21. A bolt 43 extends through the hole 42 and through one link in a chain 44. A nut 46 secures the chain 44 on the bolt 43. The chain 44 depends downwardly and has a S-hook 47 secured proximate the lower end 48 thereof. The S-hook 47 also extends through a hole 49 formed in the upper end 38 of the staves 11.

The method of suspension of the staves 11 is not critical in this invention. The staves 11 can be supported by any of the methods well known in the art.

Suspending the staves 11 in this manner above the perforated floor 13 has another advantage other than just allowing the use of the sweep auger 32. The staves are a permanent installation and do not have to be removed at any time. The bin 14 can be filled, the grain l7 dried, and the bin 14 unloaded without moving the staves 11 and without purchasing expensive stirring equipment as heretofore described.

Although a preferred embodiment has been described, it is to be remembered that various modifications may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a grain bin having sidewalls, a ground floor, a perforated floor supported above the ground floor, and a discharge auger disposed below the perforated floor and communicating with the interior of the bin through a centrally disposed discharge port formed in the perforated floor, the grain bin having grain disposed on' the perforated floor, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of upright staves each having a lower end and an upper end, said lower ends being disposed proximate the upper surface of the perforated floor and said upper ends extending upwardly to a height above the upper surface of the grain in the grain bin;

said staves being disposed in spaced relation within the bin and being in horizontal cross section, of generally undulating configuration.

2. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 1 wherein said staves, in cross section, are of generally undulating, L-shaped configuration.

3. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 2 wherein at least three of said staves are disposed around the periphery of said discharge port; said staves being secured together by a plurality of struts.

4. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 2 wherein the distance between crests of said undulations of said staves at about one-fourth inch.

5. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 4 wherein four staves are disposed around the periphery of said discharge port; said staves being secured together by a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed struts.

6. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 5 wherein said staves extend upwardly to at least the height of the sidewalls.

7. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 6 wherein said lower ends of said staves are juxtaposed against the upper surface of the perforated floor.

8. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 7 wherein said staves are supported in upright position by the grain in the grain bin.

9. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 6 wherein said lower ends of said staves are spaced above the upper surface of the perforated floor; said staves being suspended from the upper portion of the bin. 

1. In a grain bin having sidewalls, a ground floor, a perforated floor supported above the ground floor, and a discharge auger disposed below the perforated floor and communicating with the interior of the bin through a centrally disposed discharge port formed in the perforated floor, the grain bin having grain disposed on the perforated floor, the improvement comprising: a plurality of upright staves each having a lower end and an upper end, said lower ends being disposed proximate the upper surface of the perforated floor and said upper ends extending upwardly to a height above the upper surface of the grain in the grain bin; said staves being disposed in spaced relation within the bin and being in horizontal cross section, of generally undulating configuration.
 2. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 1 wherein said staves, in cross section, are of generally undulating, L-shaped configuration.
 3. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 2 wherein at least three of said staves are disposed around the periphery of said discharge port; said staves being secured together by a plurality of struts.
 4. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 2 wherein the distance between crests of said undulations of said staves at about one-fourth inch.
 5. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 4 wherein four staves are disposed around the periphery of said discharge port; said staves being secured together by a plurality of substantially horizontally disposed struts.
 6. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 5 wherein said staves extend upwardly to at least the height of the sidewalls.
 7. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 6 wherein said lower ends of said staves are juxtaposed against the upper surface of the perforated floor.
 8. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 7 wherein said staves are supported in upright position by the grain in the grain bin.
 9. The improvement in a grain bin of claim 6 wherein said lower ends of said staves are spaced above the upper surface of the perforated floor; said staves being suspended from the upper portion of the bin. 